Mage cuts head but is good to go in Preakness 2023

Baltimore

Some social-media smoke did not translate into a fire with Kentucky Derby winner Mage, who was cleared by track veterinarians Saturday morning to race in Preakness 2023 after cutting his head Thursday.

Mage hurt himself in his barn stall, and he got stitches near his right eye. The news did not come out until race day, according to his connections, and that was why there was concern raised on racing Twitter.

“That was at the beginning of the week,” assistant trainer and co-owner Gustavo Delgado Jr. told Horse Racing Nation. “The news came out today. That’s what happened. He already got checked. He’s fine.”

“The vets came this morning,” Delgado said. “Everything’s fine. They don’t want to mess (with the stitches). He’s fine.”

Ramiro Restrepo, the co-owner who put together Mage’s partnership, went a step further in a subsequent Tweet:

“On Thursday, Mage bumped his forehead in his stall, causing a superficial cut. He received care and treatment by the state vet and resumed training per usual with no interruptions. As per all Preakness starters, he was reviewed by the state vets today and is ready to race.”

Veterinarian scratches became more of a concern this month since early betting favorite Forte was removed from the Kentucky Derby and with First Mission’s exit Friday from the Preakness.